Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Vermilionaires perform July 31 at Music of Acadiana Series

The Vermilionaires show off their Cajun twin fiddle and accordion skills during the Music of Acadiana series, set for Sunday, July 31 at the NUNU’s, the old Singleton Lumber building, 1510 Highway 93, in Arnaudville. The three-piece band features brothers Louis and Andre Michot of the Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers and Matthew Doucet, son of renowned fiddler Michael Doucet of BeauSoleil.

A jam session, open to musicians of all levels, starts at 2 p.m. An interview with the Vermilionaires is set for 3:15 p.m., followed by their performance at 4 p.m.

Louis and Andre Michot

Andre Michot began playing Cajun music at 13. playing rhythm guitar for Les Frères Michot since 1988 and acting as master accordionist Ray Abshire’s entire rhythm section. Andre is also known as one of Acadiana’s most solid rhythm guitarists.

Following his father, Tommy Michot, accordionist for the family band Les Frères Michot, Andre picked up the accordion in 1999, and formed the Lost Bayou Ramblers with brother Louis. He has since studied accordion under Ray Abshire, learned the art of accordion building under Randy Falcon, and has completed and sold over a dozen accordions under the name Michot Accordions.

Louis Michot started playing Cajun music on the stand-up bass at age 15 with Les Frères Michot. At 19, he began playing the fiddle with Matthew Doucet.

As a member of the Lost Bayou Ramblers, he has toured throughout the lower 48 states, and in seven countries, earning a Grammy nomination in 2008, and winning Offbeat’s Best of the Beat award in 2009. Louis currently resides near Arnaudville and hosts “Le Reviel,” a weekly Cajun French radio program from 7-9 a.m. Sundays on KRVS 88.7 FM and online at www.krvs.org.

Born and raised in Lafayette. Matthew Doucet grew up surrounded by Cajun music. He is most noted for his work Lost Bayou Ramblers and has played with several bands throughout his career.

Doucet’s style of fiddling is reminiscent of old-time Cajun and Creole fiddlers that reflect the hard times and good times of life in southwest Louisiana.

Admission to the Music of Acadiana series is $5, free for children 12 and younger. Guests can bring their own refreshments, but food and soft drinks will be available.

The Music of Acadiana series is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council.